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Some nights, the sky puts on a show, and you just have to be there to see it. Over this last weekend, comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) has been making its way across the night sky, and I couldn’t resist trying to capture it over Great Salt Lake. As you know, I’ve shot the lake thousands of times before, but this was something special—a chance to see a comet that won’t swing by again for thousands of years.
The First Night: Missing Dinner for a Comet I Couldn’t Find
I headed out on the first night with high hopes. I had all my gear ready, thinking I’d get this incredible shot of the comet streaking across the sky. But... nothing. I couldn’t find the comet no matter how hard I looked. Before I knew it, the thing had dipped below the horizon, and I had nothing to show for it. To make matters worse, I missed dinner with my sister, who was visiting from out of town. Not exactly the best way to spend the night, but hey, I wasn’t ready to give up. Tomorrow would be better, right?
The Second Night: A Little Help from My Son
The second night, I brought my son along. He loves astronomy, and he really pressed me to go out and try again. He used the Sky Guide app on his phone, and sure enough, he found the comet in no time. It felt good to finally see it with my own eyes—a glowing tail cutting through the night sky.
But of course, as soon as we got it in our sights, clouds began obstructing the view. I managed to get a few shots, but the clouds were relentless, blocking most of the comet’s beauty. Still, we were just happy to see it at all. I wasn’t going to get the perfect photo that night, but being out there with my son, under the stars, made it worth it. Sometimes the best moments aren’t the ones you planned for.
A Bit About the Comet
Comet C/2023 A3 is a pretty big deal in the sky-watching world. It was first discovered in January 2023 by observatories in China and Hawaii. This thing only swings by the Sun once every 80,000 years. Yeah, 80,000 years! As it gets closer to the Sun, its tail grows longer and brighter, giving us that classic comet look you see in movies and textbooks. There’s something awe-inspiring about knowing you’re looking at a chunk of ice and dust that’s been out there since the early days of the solar system.
The Third Night: Finally, a Clear Sky
By the third night, I was determined. No clouds, no missed horizons—just me, the lake, and the comet. This time, the sky was crystal clear, and the comet seemed brighter than ever. I could easily see it with my naked eye. It was everything I had hoped for. The still waters of Great Salt Lake perfectly reflected the comet’s tail, and my Fuji GFX 100 II really nailed the details. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of finally getting the shot you’ve been chasing.
Reflecting on the Experience
Photographing comet C/2023 A3 over Great Salt Lake on the third night was one of those rare moments when everything lines up. The comet, this icy traveler from the far reaches of space, passing over the ancient and fragile landscape of the lake—it felt like witnessing something bigger than myself. There’s a fleeting beauty in both the comet and the lake, and capturing that was a reminder of how precious those moments are.
